China's Li Na returns the ball during the match of the women's singles against Russia's Elena Vesnina at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 21, 2006. Li won the match 2-1. (Xinhua Photo) 

Despite a slow start, Chinese top one Li Na still eased past Russian Elena Vesnina on a breezy evening with clear skies.

Li, ranked 23rd in the world, overcame a surprise 6-3 loss in the first set to beat the Russian 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 in one hour, 40 minutes.

With one break down, Li never really threatened 54th-ranked Vesnina's serve in the opening set, losing 6-3 to give scares and worries to the packed home fans in the Center Court of the Beijing Tennis Center.

But Li, the one who made breakthrough continually by making last eight at Wimbledon this season and breaking top 20 once, resumed her ominous shape and confidence too, dominating from the service line to every corner of the court in the final two sets and trouncing the opponent with double 6-1.

Li will next play another Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Editor: Donald